Designed to be launched from a slipway, the Tamar is also able to lie afloat.

Whereas the Tyne class boats have a steel hull, the Tamar's hull is made of glass fibre and epoxy resin sandwiching PVC closed cell foam for an immensely strong construction which enables one square metre of hull to withstand a force of 68 tons.

Metal extensions to the keels protect the rudders and propellers from damage on slipways and also enable operation in relatively shallow waters. The new craft is self righting with up to 40 people on board and can carry more than 100 survivors while still satisfying safety criteria.

Power is provided by twin Caterpillar C18 diesels, each delivering 1,000hp to give a top speed of 25 knots. Able to operate close to this speed even in heavy weather, the Tamar will reach rescue locations significantly faster than its 18 knot predecessor whilst also having the power to manoeuvre swiftly out of tight situations.

For navigation and communications, the Tamar is loaded with two VHF radios, MF radio, a radar scanner, GPS, GPS gyro, cordless headsets and the RNLI's own man overboard reporting system, MOB Guardian. The improved wheelhouse features a Systems Information Management System (SIMS) which allows crew members to control the lifeboat and access information from their seats in the wheelhouse.

They thus spend less time standing and are less prone to injury in heavy seas. Innovative seat design absorbs most of the energy from impact with large waves and the wheelhouse is fully air conditioned.

A transom door flips open enabling crew to launch the Tamar's daughter 'Y' boat in seconds when required to access areas near rocks or shallow water. The Y boat is a small outboard powered RIB.

The first Tamar, on display at the London Boat Show, is deployed at the RNLI's slipway station at Tenby. The craft's hull and superstructure are manufactured by Greenmarine.

The RNLI has recently concluded an agreement with DML to fit out the next four Tamars.

When launching the Tamar, RNLI chief executive Andrew Freemantle emphasised that the RNLI received nothing towards its £110m annual operating cost from government and urged continuing public support for an organisation which rescued 7,507 people in 2004 from its 233 lifeboat stations in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

MJ Information No: 21424